Woman charged after 3 children in Danielson found malnourished, missing teeth, unable to speak

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Donna Rodeheffer

Woman charged after 3 children in Danielson found malnourished, missing teeth, unable to speak

Donna Rodeheffer

DANIELSON — Three children are now in the care of the state of Connecticut after they were rescued from a brutally neglectful home in Danielson.

In July 21, state police were notified about the situation. They discovered Nicolas Emory, 24, and Donna Rodeheffer, 33, living with three children, ages 3, 5, and 6.

According to police, the children were missing many of their teeth, they were malnourished, dehydrated, living in diapers, and unable to talk. They were taken into the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Police say the children rarely left the home and were never enrolled in school. They were underweight and “extremely neglected.”

She appeared in court Tuesday to face three charges each of negligent cruelty to persons and risk of injury to a minor. Her bond was set at $150,000.

Emory is being held in Arizona as fugitive from justice, police said. He is currently being held on child porn related charges stemming from an investigation by the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit. Police say he will face new charges when he is returned to the state.

DCF said in a statement: “The Department of Children and Families can confirm that we received a report regarding these allegations and, in turn, reported the allegations to law enforcement.”